7 Liberal leadership candidates say they’ve submitted nomination papers as deadline passes
Several candidates are vying to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, with Karina Gould, Chrystia Freeland, Mark Carney, Jaime Battiste, Chandra Arya, Frank Baylis, and Ruby Dhalla all confirming that they have submitted their paperwork and met the initial financial requirement to enter the race. However, it may still take a few days to determine who has officially qualified.
The leadership race is proceeding on a tight timeline following Trudeau’s resignation announcement and the anticipation of a spring election. Candidates had until 5 p.m. ET on Thursday to submit their nomination packages, which included the signatures of 300 registered Liberals from at least three different provinces or territories, as well as a $50,000 refundable deposit. This deposit is just a fraction of the total entry fee of $350,000, with payments being spread out over four installments.
As the race progresses towards the March 9 vote, the candidates are beginning to reveal their policies, although no one has yet outlined their full platform. Mark Carney, a former Bank of Canada governor, released a campaign video targeting Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Carney has been meeting with MPs and grassroots organizers across the country, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in leading the economy back on track.
Chrystia Freeland, a former finance minister, has promised to revitalize the Liberal Party by increasing grassroots participation and democratizing the decision-making process. She has indicated her intention to reverse changes to the capital gains tax and eliminate the consumer carbon tax if elected. Karina Gould, a former House leader, has committed to freezing the carbon price while acknowledging the need to rebuild trust with Canadians.
Jaime Battiste, the first Indigenous candidate ever to run for the position of prime minister, has called for young Indigenous people to register to vote in the Liberal race. Ruby Dhalla, a former Liberal MP, has entered the race with a focus on bringing fresh ideas and a new vision to the party. She highlighted her independence from the current administration as a key advantage.
The Liberal Party will need to approve the candidates within the next 10 days, followed by Elections Canada’s approval. Registered Liberals will have the opportunity to vote across 343 ridings, each weighted at 100 points. The party will only confirm the official candidates once they have been fully approved, with the deadline for voter registration set for Monday.
